Young b'ball campers get full-court lessons

WRHS players past and present were coaches at this year's Lace 'em Up Camp (l. to r.) Courtney Macaruso, Kelsey Lyford, Jackie Boffoli, Jacqui Brugliera and Katie Hitch. Joyce Roberts photo Last week's 2nd Annual Lace 'em Up Girls' Basketball Camp at Wachusett Regional High School was clearly the place to be for area hoopsters looking to improve the form on their jump shot, pick up the pace off the dribble or learn the nuances of boxing out.

The camp, directed by Wachusett Regional High School girls' varsity basketball coach Jim Oxford, was held in the high school's field house and was attended by about 50 campers in grades 3-8. Camp instructors included Oxford and current Mountaineer players, as well as several college basketball players with Central Mass. connections.

The camp stressed fun and fundamentals, and featured individualized instruction, the latter a concept that went well with the young hoopsters, many who found themselves dealing with upbeat instructors, several more than a foot taller than the campers.

"The college basketball players that we have did a great job teaching and working on skills, and the girls really liked all of them," Oxford said. "The girls received the best instruction possible. And it's good to see varsity Wachusett basketball players integrating with younger Wachusett-area players, and also bonding and establishing relationships. The varsity kids at Wachusett are good kids and great role models for these younger girls."

Oxford enjoys connecting the high school basketball experience to the youth leagues in the Wachusett area. In the winter, many of the kids who attended the camp will attend a varsity girls' game and see their summer instructors in action. Chances are, they'll tell a friend "that was coach (Jacqui) Brugliera who just scored and I had her in camp."

"I try to impress upon our high school kids that they should really value the fact that they've got younger girls looking up to them and see them as a difference maker in their lives," Oxford said.

Oxford was impressed with the talent level of the attendees. Having them work with college players to further develop those skills was enjoyable to witness, and bodes well for the future of Wachusett girls' basketball, he said.

"This camp has been great for me,"

Holden's Rachel Aho said. "I'm learning post moves and picking up pointers on how to play down low because I'm going to get taller. I'm in the seventh grade at Mountview Middle School and want to improve for basketball season."

"I've learned a ton and have had a lot of fun," Sterling's Kali DiPilla said. "Coach Oxford and his staff have taught me a lot about shooting, dribbling and pivoting. We've done a lot of drills and scrimmaging. I'm a better player than I was a week ago. Also, I'll be a freshman this year and will be trying out for basketball. So meeting the older players has been a great experience for me."

"I'm going into the fifth grade and have had a really fun time at this camp," Rutland's Carina Dillon said. "I've gotten much better at my foul shots and have enjoyed the older girls who are teaching."

Former Wachusett basketball standout Courtney Macaruso, a two-year player at St. Anselm College, served as an instructor this year, which pleased Oxford. Macaruso, a Rutland resident, made her college squad as a walk-on after overcoming a devastating knee injury. Her hoop knowledge, demeanor and resume make her prime coaching material down the road and a welcome addition to the camp, Oxford noted.

"I've been doing the shooting station and teaching the younger kids about form and the basics of shooting," Macaruso said. "With the older kids, I try to get them to extend their range and help them to become more accurate. This camp is a great thing. It's restoring the pride in Wachusett and it gets the younger kids excited. I also enjoy working with the current Wachusett players.

"The kids are very receptive," she added. "I think they like listening to a Wachusett grad who is a college player. They learn that they can go on from here, too."

Macaruso will be a senior this fall. She is majoring in accounting and is thinking about going to graduate school. At some point, she wants to become a CPA.

Other instructors included former Burncoat basketball star Priscilla Dodoo, who currently plays at Stonehill College, and one-time Worcester Academy standout Alicia Marculitis, a 6-3 center who now plays at Manhattan College. Dodoo and Marculitis, athletic and articulate, excel on defense.

"Working a camp like this is probably the best thing that has happened to me, and gives me the opportunity to give back to other people and build character in the kids," said Dodoo, a sophomore biology major who is recovering from an ACL injury. "I'm a defensive player and I enjoy teaching the fundamentals of defense. Basketball is all about defense. Getting that stop and then making a basket. Just go out there and give it your best."

"Everything has gone real well at this camp — the kids are excited to learn and they've been great," said Marculitis, a junior elementary education major. "I work the rebounding-boxing out station and the kids love that. I'm tall and the kids love that, too. The little ones stare up and are like, 'Wow, I've never seen someone so tall.' But they're all quick learners."

Wachusett players who worked as instructors included senior captains Brugliera, Kelsey Lyford, and Jackie Boffoli, and senior Katie Hitch. Each Mountaineer hoopster enjoyed the challenge of working with younger players, many who likely will be wearing a green and white Wachusett basketball uniform in several years. And each has a different take on the camp.

"There's a lot of good things about this camp, including the fact that the kids get to see this new gym," Hitch said. "This school is big and can be overwhelming when you first get here. These kids now have a feel for the school, and that's good. And the campers are getting to know the players."

The Bentley-bound Brugliera was helping with rebounding and fundamentals. "We also want them to know some of the things that we do in the high school program so it will be easier for them when they get here. It's great meeting all the kids in the District, and getting them excited about Wachusett."

Lyford noted that it's important for the coaches to be role models. "The camp gives the kids something to shoot for. Now they can say, 'I want to play varsity basketball, and I want to be like them when I'm their age.'"

"The college girls are good for all of us," Boffoli noted. "Having a great player like Courtney back at Wachusett has been great."